Factors

• Medical billing coders make an average of $11 to $16 an hour, as of 2011, depending on where in the United States they work and how much experience they have in the field, according to Medical Billing Training. In addition, medical billing coders who work for highly specialized doctors tend to make more than those who work for general practitioners. Also, the type of employer that a coder works for, such as a hospital or private practice, influences his salary.
  
  

Standard of Living

• The standard of living in the city where a coder works influences his salary. In general, coders who work in large cities such as Boston and Chicago make more money than those who work in midsized cities, and those who work in rural areas make the least money. In the highest-paying cities, coders make up to $20 or more per hour. Larger cities also tend to have more job opportunities for coders, particularly coders seeking specialized work, which also influences the amount of income they make.
  
  

Experience Level

• Medical coders make an average of $14.73 per hour, according to Medical Billing Training. After five years on the job, however, a coder can expect to make about $19.33 per hour, and by the end of his career he can make as much as $23.37 per hour.
  
  

Specialization

• If a coder works for a highly specialized doctor such as a neuropsychiatrist, she can expect to earn the highest income. Specialized coders earn from $47,000 to $62,000 per year, which translates to $24.78 to $32.29 per hour. In addition, many specialists are affiliated with hospitals or private practices, both of which are among the more lucrative work settings.